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Intrusive Dike Close to Surface, Depression Forms

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Intrusive Dike Close to Surface, Depression Forms

The depression in Holuhraun. Photo: Tobias Dürig/Institute of Earth Sciences.

Land north of Dyngjujökull, an outlet glacier on Vatnajökull’s northern border, has sunk, which indicates that the intrusive dike leading from the Bárðarbunga caldera and north towards the Askja volcanic system lies closer to the surface than earlier believed.

The depression, located above the northern tip of the dike, is approximately 5-km (3-mile) long and 1-km wide. It lies in the Holuhraun lava field north of Dyngjujökull, stretching out into the sand, ruv.is reports.

Tiny cauldrons have also formed on the edge of Dyngjujökull. Scientists made these observations on a flight with the Icelandic Coast Guard’s airplane TF-SIF yesterday, when they also observed a row of four cauldrons in the glacier east-southeast of Bárðarbunga.

Below is the latest status report on Bárðarbunga, issued by the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management at 00:30:

“Scientists from the Icelandic Earth Science Institute, the Icelandic Meteorological Office and representatives from the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management were on a flight surveiling the surface of Vatnajökull tonight [Wednesday] and discovered a row of 10-15 m deep cauldrons, 1 km wide, south of the Bárðarbunga caldera. They form a 6-4 km long line. The cauldrons have been formed as a result of melting, possibly an eruption, uncertain when. Heightened tremor level/volcanic tremor has not been observed on Meteorological Office’s seismometers at the moment. The area is on the watershed line and draining basins of north Vatnajökull and south Vatnajökull. The new data are still being examined. The Crisis Coordination Centre in Skógarhlíð has been activated.

“A surveillance flight is scheduled tomorrow morning [today, Thursday] at 9:00. Further news on the events can be expected around 11:00.”